LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors laughs after being asked a question at a press conference before playing the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Photo: Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden...

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"The locker room was not very good, in a very sad way," coach Doc Rivers said after his Clippers were eliminated by the Thunder in Game 6 Thursday.

Photo: Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

"The locker room was not very good, in a very sad way," coach Doc...

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St. Louis Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam, center, takes up his position between defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, left, and defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks during the team's NFL football rookie camp Friday, May 16, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Photo: Jeff Roberson, Associated Press

St. Louis Rams rookie defensive end Michael Sam, center, takes up...

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St. Louis Rams seventh-round draft pick Michael Sam takes part in a drill during the team's NFL football rookie camp Friday, May 16, 2014, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

How cool would it be to watch Steve Kerr's Warriors take the Madison Square Garden court against Mark Jackson's New York Knicks? It's not such a far-fetched notion, although that other Jackson, Phil, might have to open his mind a bit.

As the Knicks' new president, Phil had set his sights on Kerr and, undoubtedly, a modern-day version of the Chicago Bulls' triangle offense from the '90s.

Once Kerr took the Warriors job, Jackson's focus turned toward some other former associates, including Derek Fisher, Luke Walton and Tyronn Lue. "Boring" would be an excellent way to describe that group, at least from the standpoint of ownership and a fan base looking for star power.

Mark Jackson could be that star.

His credentials are impeccable: born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, starred at St. John's, No. 1 draft choice by the Knicks, starter at point guard his first five seasons.

Reports out of New York suggest that Phil Jackson is willing to back off the triangle idea, which would be good news for Mark - now rumored as a strong candidate - and also potential free agent Carmelo Anthony, who loves isolation sets that put the focus on him.

Then again, Mark's New York memories aren't all good. The Knicks gave up on him as a player twice - trading him to the Clippers in '92 and to the Nuggets in '02 - and they could mess with him again through a domineering front office.

If offered, would the job mean that much to him? Or would it be a case of too many Jacksons?

Just in time

Smart move by Michael Samon Friday. In a strange and potentially disastrous decision, Sam had signed up to star in a reality show on the Oprah Winfrey Network - and he did so in secret before the draft, without informing any NFL teams. The idea had its merits; Sam is determined to reach the largest possible audience as the league's first openly gay player, and the show emerged as a potential blessing for the gay and lesbian community. The problem is that Sam still has to make the St. Louis Rams' roster. He'd vowed to make training camp all about football, and suddenly he's a TV star? That would have made him a bit too special in his teammates' eyes. As one critic wrote on deadspin.com: "An actor named Michael Sam playing the role of 'Michael Sam' on 'The Michael Sam show.' " Fortunately, Sam saw the light. He and OWN made a joint announcement that the project had been postponed. ... Speaking of training-camp sideshows, here's what Johnny Manziel should be telling everyone right now: "Forget 'Johnny Football,' OK? Stop calling me that. It was fun while it lasted, but I'm not bigger than the Cleveland Browns. That's over." ... Come on, Jason Kidd: We know Jason Collinswas only a bit player on the Brooklyn Nets, but no playing time over two series and 12 games? That's disgraceful ... Andre Iguodala's knee and hip problems were serious enough for him to consider surgery on both. He was advised to heal through rest, but people should remember his stifled condition before they tear into his late-season play.

The obscenely grotesque Donald Sterlingproved to be too much for the Clippers. At a time when they needed him to stay well in the background (what a notion: do the right thing for his team), he paraded around threatening lawsuits, giving incomprehensible interviews and making it clear that he doesn't want a black man, Magic Johnson, buying the team. Many players were in tears after Thursday night's series-clinching loss to Oklahoma City, their emotions no longer contained. "The locker room was not very good, in a very sad way," said coach Doc Rivers. "It was tough for me to watch." Jamal Crawfordtold USA Today, "We tried to handle it, and Doc did an excellent job handling it as best he could, but there was definitely a cloud over us. It was distracting." ... Not that a fully focused Clippers team would be heading to the Western Conference finals. The combination of Kevin Durantand Russell Westbrookis historically talented. While Durant buries 30-footers like a 6-foot-10 Stephen Curry, Westbrook's forays to the basket are the most explosive from a backcourt player since the vintage Kobe Bryant- the two of them second only to the young Michael Jordan... Meanwhile, it promises to be a depressing summer for Chris Paul. He still hasn't made it past the second round of any postseason, and he took personal responsibility - rightly so - for the Clippers' costly Game 5 loss at Oklahoma City. You can still call him the best point guard in the league, but it simply wouldn't be accurate ... Final thought on the Clippers: No team in NBA history had to endure a postseason quite like theirs. For that, they have everyone's sympathy. Remember, though, that Sterling's blatant racism has been a fixture in the NBA for decades. Players and coaches always knew the deal, but they opted for the glamour of L.A., marketing opportunities and, in the case of Rivers, a chance to go deep in the playoffs. Yes, they're hurting, but to suddenly threaten to leave the team or request league-orchestrated free agency - that's a little bit much. Sterling may fight this thing to the death, but he's forever out of the Clippers' sight. That franchise needs fortitude and noble reconstruction, not a group bailout.